General Rules and Procedures

Handicap flags (Blue) – May be obtained in the golf shop. Golfers who have a valid handicap tag on their driver’s license or who have medical documentation are eligible to receive a handicap flag.

May proceed inside the cart directional signs to not nearer than 30 feet of the green

Must remain on the path on all par 3’S and #12.

Walking on the Golf Course the golf cart paths are open to walking in the mornings. Walkers must complete the front 9 by 7:30am daily. The back 9 is open for walking until 8:30am Monday-Wednesday, 8:00am on Thursday and Friday, and 9:30am on Saturday-Sunday. Walkers are asked to walk in the order of holes 1-9 and 10-18. Walking is not permitted during play hours for safety reasons. Bikes, skateboards, and dogs are not permitted.

Expected Pace of Play – The golf course has been rated for a 4 hour and 15 minute round. Golfers are expected to complete the front 9 in 2 hours and 5 minutes and the back 9 in 2 hours in 10 minutes. Groups who have an open hole in front are encouraged to allow faster groups to pass through, even if they are playing within the pace guidelines.

Tips and Suggestions for Improving Pace of Play

Playing at a better pace is not about hurrying up or rushing around the course. It is simply about being more efficient with your valuable time, as well as everyone else’s. Adopting this mindset – and not being afraid to share it with your fellow players – will ultimately add enjoyment to your golf experience. Here are some recognized tips for improving pace of play:

Minimize your time on the tee
on the tee it is usually acceptable for players to “hit when ready.”

Plan your shot before you get to your ball
Once you are off the tee, think ahead. Determine your yardage and make your club selection before it is your turn to play. Very often, you can do this while others are playing, without disruption. If you take your glove off between shots, have it back on before it is your turn to play. Even a small step like this saves time.

Keep your pre-shot routine short
Pick your line of play once and trust yourself. Take no more than one practice swing, then set up to the ball and play your shot. Most importantly, be ready to hit when it is your turn. Be efficient after your shot too. Start moving toward your next shot promptly.

Aim to play in 20 seconds
From club selection to pre-shot routine to execution; strive to hit your shot in 20 seconds when it is your turn to play. Help keep play moving at a brisk pace.

When sharing a cart, use a buddy system
Don’t wait in the cart while your cart mate hits and then drive to your ball. Get out and walk to your ball with a few clubs. Be ready to play when it is your turn and then let your cart mate pick you up. Or, drive to your ball after you drop your cart mate off and then pick him or her up after you hit.

Keep up with the group in front of you
Your correct position on the course is immediately behind the group in front of you, not immediately in front of the group behind you. Arrive at your next shot just before the group in front leaves the area in front of you. If you are not able to keep up and a gap opens in front of you, invite the group behind you to play through, irrespective of the number of players in the group.

Remember that picking up your ball is permitted by the USGA Handicap System
If not in an individual stroke play competition, it is generally OK to pick up your ball and move on to the next hole if you are “out” of a hole and want to maintain pace of play. This applies in match play and many forms of stroke play, including Stableford and best-ball play.

Priority on the Course – Priority on the golf course rests with the groups pace of play. Faster groups have priority on the course irrespective of the number of players in the group. If a group loses a clear hole and is delaying the group behind, it should invite the group behind to play through regardless of the size of the group. Single players are encouraged to join a group during the high volume play times. Groups/games of 5 or more players are not permitted.

Golf Carts – Please observe the rule of the day and follow any course signage. Under no circumstances should a cart be nearer the green than 30 feet. Golf carts are not permitted on public roads, property owner’s yards, or in areas that would cause damage to the cart or course. Golf carts must remain on the path on all par 3’s and hole #12. Golf cars are to remain on the path around all greens and tees. The driver is responsible for any damage to the cart. A valid driver’s license is required to drive golf carts. Golfers who choose to walk must manage their golf clubs and walk when playing. Golfers who place their bag on the golf cart or ride in an empty seat must pay a cart fee.
Additional:

Players pair up 2 to a cart whenever possible.

MAXIMUM of 2 riders per cart.

MAXIMUM of 2 bags per cart.

MAXIMUM of 2 carts per group.

Golf Cart Due in Time – golf carts are due in 30 minutes prior to sunset. This time is posted on the website under course conditions and in the golf shop.

Push/Pull Carts– Are to remain at least 20 feet away from the green and are not permitted between the greenside bunker and the green.

Begin play on #1 – Unless authorized by golf shop personnel. Players making the turn have priority.

Range Baskets/Balls–Are to remain at the practice area. Please do not take range baskets or balls away from the practice area. Players are to only use rented range balls from Lake Monticello on the practice range. The range is not open for players hitting their own shag balls. The range closes daily at sunset, except on Tuesday evenings when it closes early for maintenance.

Blind Tee Shots– Please wait for the sound of the bell before teeing off on a blind hole. If you do not hear the bell, then ride up to make sure the area is clear for play. Bells are located on holes 5, 7, 9, and 14.

Searching for Golf Balls in Home Owners Yards – Golfers may walk to enter a homeowners yard to retrieve their ball that is clearly visible from the golf course. Golfers may not get within 30 feet of the house and may not continue search for other golf balls. Golfers must stay out of gardens and flowerbeds on homeowner’s yards. Golf carts are not permitted off of course property.

Removal from Course - When necessary to protect the safety and enjoyment of our customers, the club professional, or designee may remove a golfer or golfers from the golf course for violation of course rules or standard golf etiquette. Examples of such violations include obnoxious behavior, intoxication, damaging the course, holding up play, or failure to follow course design on a hole-by-hole basis. Players not adhering to these rules and regulations may be asked to leave without a refund of fees.
No person shall play golf on the golf course after the course has been closed.

Register in Golf Shop - Each golfer must register in the golf shop prior to play and pay the appropriate fees. Golfers must have their green fee receipt in their possession as from time to time golf shop personnel check receipts of players on the course.

Rain Checks – are issued during inclement weather or a golfer is unable to complete the round because of an emergency. 18-hole rain checks are given if the player has played less than 5 holes. A 9-hole rain check is given if a player has played less than 13 holes.

Replay - rate is equivalent to golf cart fee for 9 or 18 holes.

Ride Along – is permitted. If there is an available seat on the golf cart, then there is no fee for the rider. If an extra cart is required to accommodate the rider, then the rider will be charged a cart fee.

Hazardous Weather - Each Golfer is responsible for monitoring potential hazardous weather. Golfers are encouraged to seek shelter at the first sign of threatening conditions.

Starting on Time - Golfers are expected to tee off at their assigned tee time. Groups not registering in the golf shop at least 15 minutes prior to their time may forfeit their time. Any player stopping in the clubhouse coming from #9 may forfeit their right to continue in the order of play on #10 tee. All players must maintain their playing position without undue delay on the course at all times

Golf Shop Hours of Operation – are seasonal and posted on the Lake Monticello Golf website

Prepare yourself for an unparalleled golfing experience. Our course is a pleasure for golfers of any skill level to play. Test your accuracy with our fairways, water hazards and sand traps; we have everything you need to challenge you and improve your game.